I'm heading to Academy in about 30 minutes to buy my first Kayak. I know in time I can modify it, add things to it and in general make it more fisherman friendly. But to start, other than the Kayak and paddle, is there anything I need to have that I'm not thinking about? Looking at a sit on top Kayak that was I believe $399. I think it was 11 1/2 feet. Saw it in there a couple days ago.

in order of generally accepted importance - -Common Sense-Life vest & whistle (required by law for boating anytime)-Scupper Plugs & paddle leash, unless you like swamp butt and/or swimming back to shore with your kayak in tow or trying to use your hands to paddle if you drop it by accident-360 light - required by law for night paddling (which is wonderful), recommended for dawn/dusk-finally - any and all fishing addons and pimpage

Congrats. ON the water in any kayak is better than on the bank have fun.

Yes, those little holes that let the water drain out are scuppers. You can plug them normally and then if you get a bunch of water you can pull the plug and let it drain out. I suggest you get a BIG Sponge, that helps to soak up that little bit of water and prevent swamp butt

On your PFD, keep a whistle, small light and a knife. The knife is just in case you flip over and get tangled up in line or rope etc.

-The sponge has helped me a lot. I have an FS12T that have many little spots that collect water and hold it.-Foam ping pong balls work well as scupper plugs too. I use it for the far forward 2 and 1 each on the middle and back ones just so I can still pull on if I need to. -I still need to get a flag/light, I hate not having any type of bright colors for safety, especially since my kayak, paddle, and PFD are all desert sand color! haha

_________________________Goats are like mushrooms. If you shoot a duck, i'm a toaster.

A whistle as mentioned is required by law.I keep mine on a lanyard attached to my life jacket and placed in one of the pockets so it's always there.Other items that should always be carried and within easy reach is a sharp knife. Again attached to your life jacket in case you turtle and get your feet or arms tangled up in fishing line or rope you can cut free.Another item that not many folks carry but there can be a time you might need it is if you fish large lakes with boater traffic, and that would be one of those compact air horns that they sell at Academy.You'll find that fishing large lakes with boaters they don't pay attention to kayakers and an air horn could save you from getting run over.A sponge also comes in handy if you use scupper plugs because you will get a little water in the kayak just from your feet and paddle drip and a sponge works great to help keep you dry.Then you have a anchor trolley and anchor float to rig up, if you like to fish anchored in one spot.There are other items and as you see things can add up in a hurry.